Reservoir gland stuffing box



Oct. 21, 1958 s. P. TSCHAPPAT 2,857,183

RESERVOIR GLAND STUFFING BOX Filed May 24, 1956 IN V EN TOR.

L, H9. 2 BY M ATTORNEY RESERVOIR GLAND STUFFING BOX Sheridan P. Tschappat, Tulsa, Okla.

Application May 24, 1956, Serial No. 586,979

6 Claims. (Cl. 286-17) This invention relates to packing glands and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a double packed stuffing box having an oil reservoir gland adapted for use around the polished rod of a producing oil well..

The majority of producing oil wells of today. are pumped by means of a rod type pump. The pumping unit is normally installed near the bottom of the well bore and is actuated by a string of rods extending downward through the bore from the surface of the ground. The uppermost rod which projects from the well head is commonly called the polished rod. A packing gland or stuffing box is usually secured to the well head around the polished rod to prevent a leakage of the pumped oil around the polished rod. The stuifing boxes may be provided with a single set of packing rings or a plurality of sets of packing rings. The use of two sets of packing rings, such as shown in the pending application Serial No. 405,190, filed January 20, 1954, by Charles F. Moseley, now Patent No. 2,789,846, and with which I am familiar, has been found to be very efiicient in that worn or damaged packing rings may be replaced without stopping the operation of the pump. 'Many producing oil wells provide a problem for the stuflingb ox, however, in that the Well fluid is pumped so rapidly that the oil level within the well bore drops below the standing valve of the pump. When this pump-off condition occurs, no

fluid is delivered by the pump and the polished rod becomes dry. The heat caused by the friction between the dry polished rod and the packing rings will burn and seriously damage the packing members, thereby causing an inefficient operation of the stufllng box.

The present invention contemplates a novel stufl'ing box provided with an oil reservoir gland disposed between upper and lower packing ring members. The polished rod moves reciprocally through the oil in the reservoir which not only provides for lubrication of'the rod, but also a cooling thereof, thereby greatly reducing the damage to the packing members. The upper packing member in the stufling box is utilized to control the film of oil deposited on the outer periphery of the rod during its passage through the oil reservoir on the upstroke of the pump. On the down stroke of'the pump, the upper packing member will wipe off any excess oil as well as sand or dust particles which have.collec'ted on the rod thereabove. The cap for the oil reservoir portion'of'the stuffing box is particularly designed to direct the excess oil and dirt wiped from the rod into the oil reservoir wherein the dirt particles will settle by gravity to the bottom of the reservoir for removal through a drain plug. Thus, the present invention provides a novel stutling box so designed and constructed to provide an efiicient sealing and lubrication particularly around the polished rod of a: producing well which may tend to pump-off and cause a dry condition forthe reciprocating polished rodi.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel oil:well stufiing, box havingan 'oil reservoir gland for supplying lubrication to a dry polishedv rod thereby greatly enhancing; the efiiciency ofthe stufiing; box.

Patented Oct. 21, 1958 It is another object of this invention to provide a novel oil well stuffing box having upper and lower pacl ing ring members thereby permitting replacing of the packing members without stoppage of the oil well pumping unit.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a novel oil well stuffing box having an oil reservoir disposed below the upper packing gland and so designed and constructed to direct excess oil and dirt particles which have been removed from the polished rod into the oil reservoir whereby the dirt particles will settle by gravity to the bottom of the oil reservoir for removal through a drain plug.

It is a further object of this invention. to provide a novel oil well stufling box which greatly prolongs the useful and eflicient life of the packing ring members thereof when utilized with Well pumping units wherein the outer periphery of the polished rod becomes dry during operation thereof.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an oil Well stuffing box having an oil reservoir portion disposed between upper and lower packing members which is efficient and durable in operation and simple and economical in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical elevational view of an oil Well stufiing box embodying the invention with a quarter section of the box" removed .for purposes of illustration.

Figure 2 is a plan view' of the stuflingbox shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a cut away view of a portion of the novel stuffing box and particularly depicts the; drain nipple portion thereof,

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Fig. 1, reference character 10 generally designates a novel duplex stufling box comprising a tubular shaped body or housing 12 having the lower end 14: thereof reduced in diameter and externally threaded for connection with a well head (not shown). The usual polished rod 16 extends longitudinally through the central portion of the stufling box 10 and reciprocates therein as will be hereinafter set forth. Two=pairs of diametrically opposed outwardly extending flanges 18 and 20 are provided on the upper end 22 ofthe body 12.

A plurality of superimposed conical shaped packing ring members 24 are disposed withinthe body 12v and surround the polished rod 16. Each packing member 24 is arranged with its larger end 26 extending downwardly and in contact with the inner periphery of. the body 12 and its smaller end 28 extending upwardly and in contact with the polished rod 16. The large end portion 26 of the lowermost packing ring 24 rests on a shoulder 30 provided in the body 12 by the reduction in diameter thereof as hereinbefore set forth.

A tubular shaped packing gland 32 is disposed in the upper end 22 of the body 12 and is adapted to press downwardly on the packing rings 24. The packing. gland or compression member 32 is slightly smaller in diameter than the body 12 in order to contact the uppermost packing'ring 24 in the proximity of the lower larger end 26 thereof. A pair of diametrically opposed lugs 34 extend radially outward from the upper end 36 of the gland 32 in substantial alignment with the flanges 20 of the body 12. The lugs 34 are provided with apertures 38 for receiving suitable bolts 40 for connection with the flanges 20. A suitable nut 42 is threadedly secured on the lower end of each bolt 40 below. the lugs or flanges 20 to provide for a tightening of the bolts 40 and a downward movement of the packing gland 32. It will be apparent that a downward movement of the gland 32 will compress the packing members 24 as desired within the body 12 to provide an efficient sealing thereof.

An upper tubular shaped gland member 44 is; dis.- posed in the lower gland 32 looselyaround the polished rod 16. The diameter of the gland' 44 is such that the lower end 46 thereof contacts the uppermostvpacking ring 24 in the proximity of the upper smaller end 28 thereof. A circumferential groove 48 is provided on the inner periphery of the gland 44 adjacent the lower end 46 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The gland 44 extends upwardly from the gland 32 and is provided with an enlarged portion 50 which forms an oil reservoir 52 around the polished rod 16. The reservoir 52 preferably has a capacity for storing one quart of liquid. Av pair of diametrically opposed lug members 54 (see also Fig. 2) extend outwardly from the enlarged portion 50 in substantial alignment with the flanges 18 of the body 12 and are connected thereto by suitable bolts 56. A threaded aperture 58 is provided in the upper face 60 of the enlarged portion 50 to provide an inlet port'for supplying oil, or the like (not shown) to the reservoir 52. A suitable threaded plug member 62 is provided for the aperture 58 which may be readily removed when it is desired to supply lubricating fluid to the reservoir 52. A drain plug 59 is provided in the enlarged portion 50 to provide for discharging of the fluid from the reservoir 52 as required for removal of dirt particles, and the like, which may collect therein.

A reduced neck portion 64 extends upwardly from the enlarged portion 50 around the polished rod 16 to provide an annular space 66 therearound in communication with the reservior 52. A circumferential shoulder' 68 is provided onthe inner periphery of the neck portion 64 to receive the lower enlarged end 70 of a conical packing ring member 72. The upper packing member 72 is similar to the packing members 24, and has its upper smaller end 74 disposed adjacent the polished rod 16. A pair of diametrically opposed apertured flange members 76 extend outwardly from the upper end 78 of the neck portion 64 for apurpose as will be hereinafter set forth;

A tubular shaped apertured cap member 80 is disposed loosely around the polished rod 16 above the neck portion 64 and extends downward below the upper end 78 and flanges 76 thereof. The cap member 80 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly extending bulge portions 82 (see also Figs. 2 and 3) in substantial alignment with the lugs 76 of the neck member 64. The bulge portions 82 are ap ertured to receive suitable tightening bolts 84 which cooperate with suitable nuts 86 threadedly secured to each bolt 84 below the flanges 76 for a tightening of the cap member 80 on the neck portion 64 as will be hereinafter set forth. An.

annular flange member 88 extends downwardly within the cap member 80 and is provided with an inwardly directed shoulder 90 which surrounds the polished rod 16. An annular groove 92 is provided in the shoulder 90 to collect any dirt particles and excess oil which may be wiped from the periphery of the polished rod 16 by the upper packing ring 72 as will be hereinafter set forth. A groove 93 is provided in the underside of the shoulder 90 adjacent the polished rod 16 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The annular flange 88 is interrupted within the bulge portions 82 to provide a passageway 94 (Fig. 3) therein. The passageway 94 extends radially between the groove 92 and a threaded bore 96 provided at the outer extremity of the bulge portion 82. A nipple 98 is threadedly secured within the bore 96 and extends downwardly therefrom through an aperture (not shown) in the upper surface 60 of the enlarged portion 50 and into the reservoir 52. nipple 98 is provided with an internal bore 100 which extends longitudinally therethrough to provide commu- The nieation between the passageway 94 and the reservoir 52. The nipple 98 is depicted in a cut-away view in Fig. 3 in order to illustratethe bore 100. The passage way 94 is preferably tapered from the horizontal in a slightly downwardly direction from the groove 92 toward the bore 96 to facilitate the flow of fluid there--' through as will be hereinafter set forth.

The shoulder 90 bears against the upper packing mem ber 72 adjacent the upper smaller end 74 thereof to main-' tain an adequate sealing around the periphery of the polished rod 16. It will be apparent that any tightening of the screws 84 so as to lower the cap member with respect to the neck portion 64 will cause a downward movement of the shoulder and thereby further compress the packing member 72 for assuring an efficient sealing around the polished rod 16.

Operation efficiently when the reservoir 52 is filled to approximately three quarters of its fluid capacity. The lubricant contained in the reservoir will provide a constant lubrication of the polished rod 16 and prevent the main packing rings 24 from running dry, regardless of whether the well is producing oil. The packing rings 24 will efficiently seal off the well head pressure and prevent an upward flow or leakage of well fluid through the body 12, as well as prevent a leakage of the lubricant from the chamber 52 downwardly along the outer periphery of the polished rod 16 when the well is not producing.

During reciprocation of the rod 16, the packing rings 24 and 72 will be slightly deformed. However, the groove 48 will permit an expansion of the upper end 28 of the uppermost packing ring 24, and the groove 93 will permit an expansion of the upper end 74 of the packing ring 72, thereby preventing undue distortion of the packing members. In the event well fluid leaks upwardly through the body 12, the packing rings 24 may be further compressed by tightening the bolts 40 and 56. A tightening of the bolts 40 will provide a downward movement of the lower gland 32 and a compression of the packing rings 24 adjacent the outer peripheries thereof, and a tightening of the bolts 56 will provide a downward movement of the upper gland 44 with a resulting compression of the packing rings 24 adjacent their inner peripheries. Thus, the packing rings 24 may be brought into tighter engagement with the polished rod 16 and inner periphery of the body 12 for assuring an efficient sealing of the well head pressure.

p The packing ring member 72 prevents an upward leakage of the lubricant from the reservoir 52. Furthermore, the upper smaller end 74 adjacent the periphery of the polished rod 16 functions to control the film of oil deposited on the rod as it is reciprocated through the lubricant in the reservoir 52. The packing ring 72 wipes the excess of lubricant from the polished rod on the upstroke thereof, and the excess fluid is directed by gravity from the annular chamber 66 downwardly and back into the reservoir 52. The exposed portion of the polished rod 16 above the stufiing box 10 normally collects sand and dirt particles which adhere to the outer periphery thereof. These dirt particles can. cause severe damage to the polished rod and packing members since the abrasive action thereof may score the outer periphery of the polished rod and prevent an adequate sealing action of the packing members. The packing ring 72 will wipe the dirt particles and any excess of lubricant from the polished rod 16 on the downstroke thereof, thus substantially precluding damaging of the rod from foreign particles. The dirt particles and lubricant mixture thus removed-accuinulate above the shoulder 90 and are directed into the annular groove 92, wherein the fluid flows through the passageways 94 and into the bores 96. The longitudinal passageway 100 provided in the nipple 98 directs the fluid downwardly into the reservoir 52 where the dirt particles will settle by gravity to be removed through the drain plug 59, as required. It will be apparent that the bottom surface of the reservoir 52 may be taper-ed from the horizontal and slightly downwardly toward the outer periphery thereof (not shown) to collect the dirt particles at the lower portion thereof, if desired. Thus, the lubricant is conserved to provide a long and efficient operation of the stuffing box 10.

In the event the packing ring 72 becomes worn, it may be further compressed by tightening the bolts 84 and thus moving the cap member 80 downward so that the shoulder 90 will compress the packing ring 72 as desired.

Thus, the packing ring 72 may be compressed independently of the main packing rings 24 and will effectively retain the lubricant in the reservoir 52. The packing rings 24 and 72 are preferably provided with a slit (no-t shown) throughout the length thereof in order to facilitate the installation of the packing members when it is necessary to replace worn packings. The split packing feature in no way hinders the efiicient sealing of the packing members because the compression thereof effectively seals the split portion.

It will be apparent that the portion of the polished rod 16 disposed within the reservoir 52 is adequately lubricated and cooled to provide an efiicient operation of the polished rod even during periods when the Well is not producing oil. The lubrication of the polished rod 16 greatly reduces the heat of friction between the rod and the packing members, and greatly reduces the damage thereto from burning which is caused when the polished rod is allowed to run dry. It will also be noted that the reservoir 52 may be supplied with addi-tional lubricant through the inlet port 58, even during the operation of the stuffing box 10.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel provides a novel duplex type oil well stufiing box having a lubricant reservoir gland particularly for utilization on problem oil Wells which pump-off. When the well is not producing oil, the polished rod becomes dry and may burn up the packing members. The lubricant reservoir of the novel stutfing box is disposed between upper and lower packing members, and provides lubrication and cooling for the polished rod to reduce the friction heat between the rod and packing members. rings will be greatly increased. The upper packing ring controls the oil film on the periphery of the polished rod on the upstroke thereof, and on the downstroke the upper packing ring wipes the excess oil and dirt particles from the periphery of the rod. The fluid thus removed is directed back into the lubricant reservoir where the dirt particles settle out by gravity and may be removed through the drain plug, thus conserving the supply of lubricant. Furthermore, the upper and lower packing members may be tightened independently of each other, thereby assuring an efficient sealing of the well head pressure as Well as maintaining a constant supply of lubricant in the reservoir gland.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A stuffing box for an oil well polished rod, comprising a tubular shaped body member loosely disposed around the polished rod, a plurality of super-imposed conical shaped packing ring members provided in the body and surrounding the polished rod, a tubular gland Thus, the efficient service life of the packing 6 loosely disposed around'the polished rod and extending downwardly within the body into contact with the uppermost packing ring adjacent the-outer periphery thereof, adjustable means for securing the gland to the body,la second tubular gland loosely disposed around the polished rod and extending into contact with the uppermost packing ring adjacent the inner periphery thereof, an enlarged portion in the second mentioned gland providing alubricant reservoir around the polished rod, adjustable means securing the second gland to the body, an inwardly directed shoulder provided within the second mentioned gland above the reservoir, a conical shaped packing ring member disposed on the inwardly directed shoulder, .a tubular cap member disposed on the upper end of the second gland and adjustably secured thereto, :said cap provided with an inwardly directed shoulder "in contact with the last mentioned packing ring, and means to direct excess lubricant and dirt collected on the periphery of the polished rod above the last mentioned packing ring downwardly into the lubricant reservoir.

2. A stufiing box for an oil well polished rod, comprising a tubular shaped body member loosely disposed around the polished rod, a plurality-of super-imposed conical shaped packing ring members provided .in the body and surrounding the polished rod, a tubular gland loosely disposed around the polished rod and extending downwardly within the body into contact with the uppermost packing ring adjacent the outer periphery thereof, adjustable means for securing the gland to the body, :a second tubular gland loosely disposed around the polished rod and extending .into contact with the uppermost packing ring adjacent the inner periphery thereof, an enlarged portion in the second mentioned'gland providing .a lubricant reservoir around the polished rod, adjustable means securing the second gland to the body, .an inwardly directed shoulder provided within the second mentioned gland above the reservoir, a conical shaped packing ring member disposed on the inwardly directed shoulder, a tubular cap member disposed on the upper end of the second gland and adjustably secured thereto, said cap provided with an inwardly directed shoulder in contact with the last mentioned packing ring, means to supply lubricant to the reservoir, means to direct excess lubricant and dirt collected on the periphery of the polished rod above the last mentioned packing ring downwardly into the lubricant reservoir, and means to drain the dirt from the reservoir.

3. A stufiing box for an oil well polished rod, comprising a housing surrounding the polished rod, a plurality of super-imposed conical packing ring members disposed within the housing and surrounding the polished rod, means for compressing the packing rings against the polished rod and the inner periphery of the housing, a reservoir provided above the packing ring members for receiving a lubricant, a packing ring disposed above the lubricant reservoir and surrounding the polished rod, means for compressing the last mentioned packing ring, said means comprising a cap member disposed above the last mentioned packing ring, and means provided for cooperating with the cap member for directing excess lubricant from the periphery of the polished rod above the last mentioned packing ring downwardly into the lubricant reservoir.

4. A stuffing box for an oil Well polished rod, comprising a housing surrounding the polished rod, a plurality of super-imposed conical packing ring members disposed Within the housing and surrounding the polished rod, means for compressing the packing rings against the polished rod and the innner periphery of the housing, a reservoir provided above the packing ring members for receiving a lubricant, a packing ring disposed above the lubricant reservoir and surrounding the polished rod, means for compressing the last mentioned packing ring, a cap member disposed above the last mentioned packing ring, means provided for directing excess lubricant from the periphery of the polished rod above the last mentioned packing ring downwardly into the lubricant .reservoir, said means comprising an inwardly directed shoulder within the cap member, an annular groove provided on the shoulder, a radial passageway in communication with the groove, a threaded bore in communication with the passageway, a nipple threadedly secured in the bore, and a longitudinal bore provided in the nipple providing communication between the threaded bore and the lubricant reservoir.

' 5. A stufiing box for an oil Well polished rod, comprising a housing disposed loosely around the polished rod, a plurality of super-imposed packing ring members provided in the housing and surrounding the polished rod, a tubular gland extending into the upper end of the body member into contact with the uppermost packing ring,

adjustable means for securing the gland to the housing,

a second tubular gland disposed loosely around the polished rod and extending into contact with the uppermost packing ring, adjustable means for securing the second gland to the housing, an' enlarged portion in the second gland above the packing rings providing a reservoir around the polished rod forreceiving a lubricant, a packing ring member disposed in the second gland above the reservoir, cap means loosely disposed around the rod above the 'second gland member, adjustable means securing the cap to the second gland, a shoulder provided -in the cap adapted to contact the last mentioned packing member, and means todirect excess lubricant from the periphery of the polished rod into the reservoir, said means comprising an annular groove provided on the shoulder,

conical shaped packing ring members provided in the body and surrounding the polished rod, a tubular gland loosely disposed around the polished rod and extending downwardly within the body into contact with the uppermost packing ring adjacent the outer periphery thereof, adjustable means for securing the gland to the body, a second tubular gland loosely disposed around the polished rod and extending into contact with the uppermost packing ring adjacent the inner periphery thereof, an enlarged portion in the second mentioned gland providing a lubricant reservoir around the polished rod, adjustable means securing the second gland to the body, an inwardly directed shoulder provided within the second -mentioned gland above the reservoir, a conical shaped packing ring member disposed on the inwardly directed shoulder, a tubular cap member disposed on the upper end of the second gland and adjustably secured thereto, saidcap provided with an inwardly directed shoulder in contact with the last mentioned packing ring, means to supply lubricant to the reservoir, means to direct excess lubricant and dirt collected on the periphery of the polished rod above the last mentioned packing ring downwardly into the lubricant reservoir, said means comprising an annular groove provided on the shoulder, a radial passageway in communication with the groove, a threaded bore in communication with the passageway, a nipple threadedly secured in the bore, a longitudinal bore provided in the nipple providing communication between the threaded bore and the lubricant reservoir, and means to drain the dirt from the reservoir.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 803,188 Oehlschlaeger Oct. 31, 1905 1,594,935 Force Aug. 3, 1926 1,966,917 Bracht July 17, 1934 1,971,542 Taylor Aug. 28, 1934 2,002,012 Howard May 21, 1935 2,056,687 Moseley Oct. 6, 1936 

